ENGL 2035 - Shakespeare

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3
Course Description: This college literature course intended for all students introduces a representative selection of works by William Shakespeare. Course topics include what the plays and sonnets reveal about Elizabethan societies, what they suggest about the human condition in general, and the relevance of Shakespeare’s work in contemporary society. 
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts

 

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: ENGL 1020   with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content
 

1. Shakespeare’s life and literary significance
2. Analysis of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets:
   1. Critical reading of plays and sonnets
   2. Critical writing about plays and sonnets
3. Characteristics of at least three of the four classifications of Shakespeare’s plays: comedy, tragedy, history, romance
4. Elements of drama: character, plot, setting
5. Elements of sonnets: form, use of iambic pentameter
6. Elizabethan theatre conventions
7. Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Age
8. The play and sonnets as literary genres
9.  Shakespeare’s relevance in contemporary society

1. demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the works of William Shakespeare.
2. analyze the works of  Shakespeare as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
3. respond critically to the works of Shakespeare.
4. articulate an informed personal reaction to the works of Shakespeare.
5. analyze basic literary elements in works studied.
6. describe the relevance of Shakespeare’s work in contemporary society. 

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